From 912fdaa6e6956d625f7a3b316da389d1636ab903 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: njlyon0 Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2024 11:27:02 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] Added fleshed out description to course home page --- index.qmd | 23 +++++++++++++++++------ 1 file changed, 17 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) diff --git a/index.qmd b/index.qmd index dba3e40..5881187 100644 --- a/index.qmd +++ b/index.qmd @@ -7,13 +7,24 @@ Synthesis Skills for Early Career Researchers (SSECR; _\[SEE-ker\]_) is a newly- ## Course Priorities - Surface and test new synthesis ideas for feasibility -- Prepare more graduate students to be effective participants in/leaders of the synthesis project +- Prepare more graduate students to be effective participants in/leaders of the synthesis projects - Connect LTER graduate students across sites - Develop intergenerational linkages around synthesis research -## Course Structure +## Course Description + +The course is structured around small group synthesis projects, so that lessons are immediately applied to a synthesis problem that is relevant to learners and will likely result in a publication. The course starts with an in-person launch to establish cohort cohesion and ensure that any setup issues are resolved. Participants will pitch projects to the group and assemble a team of collaborators.The ideal configuration would be 6 project teams of 4-5 students each. Prior to the start of the course, the Network Office will recruit a corps of potential project mentors, who will be matched with participant projects and who agree to meet with students approximately 4-5 times per year. + +Course participants meet for three hours, weekly, at the same time each week. Sessions alternate between hands-on instruction in technical and soft skills that are relevant for inclusive synthesis and team work on the chosen group projects. + +Applicants will propose modest or exploratory synthesis projects as part of the application process. In addition to ideas stemming from participants' own work, course mentors will make available a small library of synthesis ideas in search of execution. The in-person kickoff week will focus on cohort-building, pitching projects and assembling project teams, identifying relevant data, and getting set up on servers and collaboration tools. + +Participants should expect to participate in one 3-hour virtual session every-other week during the academic year. Project groups will also meet at a time of their own choosing to work on projects. Project mentors are encouraged to participate in work sessions at least 4 times throughout the year. + +Each three-hour session will include 2 components: + +1. **Inspiration (\~60 minutes)**: Presentation by an experienced synthesis scientist, describing why and how they conduct synthesis. This diverse group of researchers will be recruited from across the field and course participants will have ample time for discussion with each presenter. +2. **Instruction (~120 minutes)**: Each session will focus on a specific instructional topic, with technical skills, team-science skills, and communication topics interspersed throughout the year. The discussion will be limited to official course participants, but instructional materials for each topic will be available online, allowing individuals or site- or topic-based groups to follow along independently. + - Technical skills will build on earlier lessons and are not intended to be stand-alone modules. +The course will include social and leadership skills required to bring a synthesis project from idea to completion (or, for larger projects to completed proposal) and will include techniques for ensuring that multiple thinking and learning styles are respected and valued. -- Participants: ~27 (approx. 1 graduate students from each [LTER site](https://lternet.edu/site/)) -- Time frame: Biweekly meetings (1 session / 2 weeks) over the course of 9 months -- Course management: LTER Network Office (LNO) -- Instruction: LNO staff, guest speakers, LTER Network-recruited mentors